A Mecklenburg County man finds himself on the wrong side of the law, facing felony insurance fraud charges. Daniel Alston Holmes, 33, of Charlotte, claimed to his insurance company that his vehicle was damaged after a collision with a deer. However, the true nature of the car's damage stems from what officials say was a hit-and-run incident. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey's office detailed the charges and circumstances surrounding the case.

On September 12, 2023, Holmes reported to Peak Property and Casualty that his car had been struck by wildlife. Yet, the investigation conducted by the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division suggested otherwise. Holmes was later arrested on January 30, nearly five months after the incident. He was granted a release upon posting an $8,000 secured bond. The details were shared by the North Carolina Department of Insurance in a press release, which also notes that Holmes appeared in the Mecklenburg County District Court yesterday.

Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime. Commissioner Causey, in a released statement, emphasized the broader impact of such offenses, stating, "Insurance-related crimes hit consumers in the wallet." He went on to disclose that a substantial portion of insurance premiums, "approximately 20 cents of every insurance premium dollar," go towards covering the cost of fraud. Causey's approach to stemming this issue involves a proactive pursuit and prosecution of insurance fraud and related crimes within the state of North Carolina.

The state's top insurance official urges the public to actively report instances of suspected insurance fraud or white-collar crimes. The collaboration between community members and law enforcement is positioned as an essential element in the fight against fraud. Those who would like to report potential fraudulent activities can find more information at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website.